Stay Sacramento, dangerous sea level, rotten Apple

Sacramento should be Sacramento

Re “Envy isn’t healthy, even for cities” (Insight, Feb, 23) Columnist Foon Rhee is exactly right. I’ve lived in Sacramento and the region for 19 years and could never understand why Sacramento’s leaders have continually tried to be another city without realizing what they already have.

For instance, the American River bike trail is an amazing asset to this area, yet is rarely acknowledged. The confluence of our two beautiful rivers goes largely unnoticed. The accessibility to so much of what California offers (skiing, wine country, the coast) is often ignored.

Sacramento used to be affordable for families. However, in our pursuit to be a “world-class city,” Sacramento has become exorbitantly expensive. So expensive that I cannot afford to move my family back to the central city, which now belongs to the wealthy and singles. Just like San Francisco.

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Copy successful city practices

Sacramento could emulate the successful policies of other cities to solve problems that we have struggled with for a long time.

These would include a clean, accessible and financially viable public transit system. Sacramento should pursue economic development that maximizes the number of living-wage jobs. And let’s adopt what works and emulate cities that have humanely and cost-effectively reduced homelessness.

Jason Orta, Sacramento

And the sea levels are rising

Re “Report: Sea level rise is most in 28 centuries” (Page 10A, Feb. 23): What does this degree of sea level rise mean? It means that coastal cities like Miami; Norfolk, Va., and Charleston, S.C., will experience even worse flooding, bringing more misery to their citizens and businesses. It also means that billions will be spent to protect cities along the East Coast. Billions more will be spent on recovery from floods.

But really it’s just bewildering. How do you process news like this? How do we accommodate the thought that we are leaving our children and grandchildren a world far darker and more dangerous than today?

What happened to common sense?

Re “Flow from Folsom will surge again” (Page 1A, Feb. 23): What happened to common sense? I know nothing about water management, but to make today’s decisions on a plan completed three decades ago is the height of craziness.

If water must be released in order to increase the need for potential storage, why not wait until at least one meteorologist has a prediction of a major storm on the horizon. Better yet, add a new requirement to the outdated water management plan: To wit: Local bureau managers may not release 53,856 gallons per second from Folsom Lake unless at least two managers go outside and agree that they see at least one storm cloud on the horizon.

Ken Hall, Carmichael

Freeway sign disconnect

The irony of this message, courtesy of Caltrans displayed on our interstate highway, is compounded by the release of Folsom Dam water because of federal rules. Despite this bureaucratic doublespeak, nobody will be held accountable, and the precious water will continue to be wasted.

J.B. McClain, Fair Oaks

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